Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures a prolonged history of substance use, embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. When taken from near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and other substances. Collection is straightforward, tampering is relatively challenging, and transportation is simple.
A 1.5-inch portion consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for analysis and verification. For EtG, supplementary items, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, a specimen weighing 150mg is advisable. It’s suggested to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn’t present, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be utilized. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, while "body hair" includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The drug test result processing in the laboratory is composed of four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial step where a sample is processed into the lab's system. This step ensures the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any required data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening swiftly checks for substances of abuse. Although cost-effective and suitable for most samples, a positive screen mandates confirmation to be legally acceptable. Any samples preliminarily positive in Screening need subsequent confirmation.
For presumptively positive samples in the Screening phase, additional hair from the initial sample is prepared for Extraction. Drugs are isolated from hair at concentrations much lower than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), marking hair drug screening as one of the most complex methods.
Confirmation for any positive screening is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptively positive samples are washed before confirmation if needed. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Constraints:
Note: Often called "hair follicle tests," this analysis actually evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Square Butte, MT, hair follicle testing often triumphs over urine analysis due to several key benefits. Hair tests can detect substance use for up to 90 days, offering a far superior window than urine tests. This heightened detection capability ensures a comprehensive appraisal of the individual's history, supporting decision-makers with robust data.
Employers in Square Butte, MT find the extensive detection window of hair follicle tests beneficial. Detecting drug use up to 90 days allows a thorough check of an employee’s history, providing a more accurate narrative of substance use and creating a clearer profile.
One of the standout advantages of hair follicle testing is its tamper-resistant nature. In Square Butte, MT, this method makes it challenging for individuals to adulterate samples due to the collected sample's integrity, ensuring the observed outcomes are genuine and unalterable.
Our comprehensive network of testing centers, both nationally and in Square Butte, MT, simplifies access. This ensures that drug testing services are convenient and hassle-free for all locations, prioritizing efficient and broad accessibility for every individual and organization.
The process for hair follicle testing in Square Butte, MT is straightforward and maintains confidentiality. From ordering the test to receiving results, steps are laid out to ensure privacy and ease, reassuring users of a simple yet effective method in dealing with drug evaluations.
Square Butte, MT offers competitive pricing on hair follicle tests, ensuring affordable options for businesses of varying sizes. Coupled with fast turnaround times, this affordability brings not only financial benefit but also efficiency and peace of mind, proving cost-effective for company needs.
The hair follicle drug test in Square Butte, MT, is trusted for its precise and speedy outcomes. High accuracy is a hallmark, ensuring correct identification of substances. This method can conclusively determine substance use, positioning it as a favored approach in substance testing for its reliability and efficiency.
Employers in Square Butte, MT can benefit from peace of mind with hair follicle analysis. This approach supports compliance with drug-free policies, enhancing workplace safety, and minimizing legal risks, thanks to its comprehensive and stringent testing nature.
